BREAKING NEWS

GAWDA Members Unite at Dallas SMC

The 2005 Spring Management Conference season got off to a grand start in Dallas, April 24-26, marking the fourth largest SMC in the last decade and also the largest non-Chicago SMC in the last decade. A total of 428 GAWDA distributors and manufacturers networked, caught up on the latest industry issues and visited the GAWDA Pavilion.

President Bob Thornton

"I walked into the room and saw it loaded to capacity. I've waited a long time to see it that way," President Bob Thornton told membership during his State of the Association address. He discussed the formation of GAWDA's Joint Defense Fund for Welding Fume Litigation. "Welding fume litigation may be the most significant challenge ever to face our industry. It is time for us to band together."

Brent Evans

Brent Evans, vice president of sales for Kirk Welding Supply (Kansas City, MO), was attending his first SMC. "I'm here to look at new technological advancements and other items that will help further our sales staff and products." Members attended nine business sessions that were filled to capacity and focused on acquisitions, fill plant productivity, sales techniques, motivating Gen X and Y, homeland security, specialty gases, FDA regulations and marketing. A fume litigation session explained GAWDA's role in U.S. Fire Insurance Co. v. Clendenin Brothers, Inc., No. 1:03-cv-03308 (U.S. District Court, Baltimore, MD), and provided members with suggestions on how to protect their assets. Read members' thoughts on these informative sessions here.

For the second consecutive year, the GAWDA SMC teamed up with the AWS Welding Show. The GAWDA Pavilion offered members an exclusive opportunity to exhibit at the AWS Welding Show on April 26 at the Dallas Convention Center. Many were pleased with the steady traffic flow. View photos from the GAWDA Pavilion and AWS Welding Show here. Also at the AWS Welding Show, GAWDA sponsored an Industry CEO Presentation led by Airgas Chairman and CEO Peter McCausland, who addressed the changing state of gas distribution in the U.S. If you weren't in Dallas, you can visit the Virtual Contact Booth Program live on the Web here.

Sessions at the 2005 SMC in Dallas were filled to capacity.

GAWDA Launches Joint Defense Fund for Welding Fume Litigation

GAWDA President Bob Thornton notified membership in a letter dated April 21 of the decision by the Board of Directors to create a Joint Defense Fund for Welding Fume Litigation. The fund will enable GAWDA to engage the services of a law firm to provide its members with needed guidance and strategic defense services in anticipation of, or in response to, a welding fume claim. The Joint Defense Fund will be funded by an assessment of GAWDA members and prospective members on the same basis as dues. Invoices were sent out on May 5. At the Dallas Spring Management Conference, members applauded this move by GAWDA to protect the independent distributor and the industry. A copy of President Thornton's letter to the membership is available here and on the GAWDA Web site under "GAWDA News."

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SAFETY & COMPLIANCE NEWS

Attention Ohio Members • An Ohio worker with carpal tunnel syndrome can cost his or her employer an estimated $30,000, according to the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, which is why the agency is offering free, online ergonomics classes. Office Ergonomics Online is free to all employers who have an active Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation policy. Visit this page to register and open the tab "Ohio Employers," or call 800-OHIO-BWC.

OSHA Budget Request • Acting OSHA Administrator Jonathan L. Snare told Congressional leaders that the agency's FY2006 budget request "is a continuing investment in traditional and innovative strategies that have produced declining injuries, illnesses and fatalities for the American workforce." Snare testified April 7 before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. The president is requesting $467M for OSHA during FY2006, a $2.8M increase over FY2005. Visit this page to read Snare's statement.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

GAWDA welcomes new Associate Members CCH Equipment Company of Dallas, TX, and Hannay Reels, Inc. of Westerlo, NY.

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INDUSTRY BEAT
(what people are talking about)

(l-r) Roberts Oxygen VP Dave Mason, Jim Fuchs of Praxair and CGA President Carl Johnson

Roberts Oxygen Company Honored (Rockville, MD) • Roberts Oxygen Company was honored for its truck fleet safety record at the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) annual meeting. Roberts Oxygen Company was presented with the 2004 Fleet Safety Award for Cylinder Vehicle Fleets with less than 3 million miles driven during 2004 and a certificate of recognition in the Bulk Gas Transportation category for fleets less than 20 million miles. "I am proud of our commercial and homecare drivers for their safe driving that protects themselves, our customers and the general public," says President Bob Roberts.

Gases & Arc Supply Moves (Denver, CO) • Gases & Arc Supply moved to a new 18,000 sq. ft. building located on 2 acres. The new address is 5691 North Franklin, Denver, CO 80216. The phone number, 303-477-8037, and fax number, 303-477-8098, are the same.

Nate Kondo

Kondo Named Manager (Mechanicsburg, PA) • Harsco GasServ named Nate Kondo Southwestern Region sales manager based in Scottsdale, AZ, responsible for selling Taylor-Wharton high-pressure and acetylene cylinders, cryogenic storage and dispensing cylinders, packaged shielding gas systems and RDF equipment. Kondo also represents Sherwood precision compressed gas valve products. He reports directly to Tim Miller, director of North American sales-industrial gas equipment.

Airgas Acquires Companies (Radnor, PA) • Airgas, Inc. acquired Vancouver Welding Supply (Vancouver, WA), which became part of Airgas Nor Pac, and Cumberland Welding & Supply Co. (Cumberland, MD), which became part of Airgas Mid America. Lenny Twigg serves as Airgas Mid America branch manager. Airgas also signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire the Atlanta-based Industrial Products Division of LaRoche Industries, which would become a new business unit, Airgas Specialty Products, within Airgas' Gas Operations Division. The transaction is expected to close at the end of May.

Airgas Restructures (Radnor, PA) • Airgas named Michael Rohde, regional president of Airgas South for the past five years, as senior vice president-distribution operations, heading a new corporate department that integrates several units providing operational support to the 13 regional companies within Airgas. Jay Sullivan, CFO for Airgas South for the past seven years, serves as acting president of the region. The SAFECOR department will move from Gas Operations to report directly to Executive Vice President and COO Mike Molinini.

American Capital Opens Affiliate European Office (Bethesda, MD) • American Capital Strategies Ltd. opened the Paris office of its affiliate European Capital Financial Services Ltd. Jean Eichenlaub, managing director and member of the Investment Committee, and Jacques Pancrazi, director, lead European Capital. "Having invested in three buyouts in Europe over the past three years without a European presence, we concluded, as part of our strategic planning process, that it was time to establish European Capital as a permanent presence on the continent," says Malon Wilkus, American Capital chairman, president and CEO, and European Capital chairman and CEO.

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Register Now for NYC SMC • GAWDA heads to the Hilton New York in New York City, June 1-3, for the next Spring Management Conference. Register online by May 18 to be listed in the on-site program. Call the Hilton at 1-800-445-8667 to make hotel reservations. In addition to outstanding business presentations, Wayne Yakich, president of Praxair Distribution, Inc., will lead an Industry CEO presentation and Jim Freeman of the TSA will lead a homeland security presentation. There will be a networking cruise around Manhattan aboard the chartered yacht Princess, where contact tables replace the traditional Contact Booth Program. Register for this networking cruise by May 18. GAWDA will refund $125 off the cost of the badges of three or more full delegates who attend one or both SMCs. If you sent 2 full delegates to Dallas, and 2 more to New York City, you will receive a $125 refund for each of your 3rd and 4th full delegates. For more info and to register, visit this page.

GAWDA Web Site Gets New Look • Members are raving about GAWDA's Web site, which recently received a makeover. The site, www.gawda.org, has new and improved features, including sitemap, "My Account" tab to update personal contact information, GAWDA staff page to locate staff and consultants, improved site search and online meeting registration. Members also can access the Online Searchable Membership Directory, Welding & Gases Today, a GAWDA Connection archive, the online edition of the MembersOnly Buyers Directory05, thousands of safety and compliance documents, and much more. Go to www.gawda.org to check out the revamped Web site.

Welding Fume Litigation Update • The U.S. District Court in Baltimore has granted GAWDA's request to send a case on the scope of the pollution exclusion to state court. The case was brought by U.S. Fire Insurance against Clendenin Brothers, a GAWDA member. U.S. Fire sued for a declaratory order stating that the general "pollution exclusion" in its liability policy meant that U.S. Fire had no duty to defend Clendenin Brothers from welding fume cases or to cover any liability resulting from those claims. GAWDA filed a brief in the federal court on behalf of Clendenin Brothers to move the issue to state court, where the case law is more favorable, and the federal court agreed. The case now is scheduled to be briefed and argued in the Maryland Court of Appeals, where Clendenin Brothers stands a much better chance of winning. U.S. Fire, however, has now petitioned the federal court of appeals for an order to force the federal district court to hear the case instead of sending the case to state court. GAWDA will oppose that request.

A jury in Brazoria County, TX, ruled in favor of the defendants in the Pressler case, the first welding fumes case brought to trial since the Elam verdict in Illinois last year. The first Pressler trial resulted in a hung jury a few months ago, and on retrial the new jury ruled for the defendants. The jury apparently believed that the plaintiff had not proved that his injury was caused by inhalation of welding fumes. This is good news for welding fume defendants, but does not end the issue. Four new plaintiffs are scheduled to take their cases to trial in federal court in Cleveland over the next year beginning in August, and plaintiffs' experts are still trying to complete research that will conclusively link exposure to welding fumes and neurological impairment.

CGA Discounted Subscriptions, Medical Gas Library • The Compressed Gas Association (CGA) is offering GAWDA members discounted subscriptions for the CGA electronic publication library until June 30. Subscriptions include licenses to all CGA electronic publications for one or more employees. The discounted price for GAWDA members is $1,495 for the first year. This 12% discount applies to multiple licenses for employees of the same company. For more information, please contact CGA Customer Service at 703-788-2799 or customerservice@cganet.com.

CGA's library for Bulk Medical Gas Systems is now available. The library includes: C-9, Standard Color Marking of Compressed Gas Containers for Medical Use, 4th edition; G-4, Oxygen, 9th edition; G-4.1, Cleaning Equipment for Oxygen Service, 5th edition; M-1, Guide for Medical Gas Installations at Consumer Sites, 1st edition; and SB-26, Cylinder Connections on Portable Liquid Cryogenic Cylinders, 2nd edition. This library may be purchased for only $192 if your paid order is received by June 30. Visit this page for more information.

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PHOTO: Officials discuss plans for the 1965 Atlanta Zone Meeting. (l-r) Executive VP Donald C. Berner of Welders Supply (Philadelphia, PA), President Reid Jones Jr. of Jones Welding Supplies (Roanoke, VA), VP Ben Bradford of Miami Welding Supply (Miami, FL) and Director R.Q. McEniry of Standard Welders Supply Co. (Memphis, TN)

It's GAWDA Regional Meeting Time! Last year, GAWDA held 12 Regional Meetings all over the country. This year, we have 11 scheduled so far and more to come. That's 11+ opportunities for you to network in your own backyard. Regional Meetings are held within driving distance of many of our members through out the spring and summer. They are affordable, informative and fun! Regional Meetings offer attendees a chance to hear industry leaders speak about the industry, and meet with GAWDA consultants, Board members and other association volunteers. Meet with customers and suppliers, network with your peers, and get some insight on the industry. It's just a short drive and only few days out of the office. It's an unbeatable value!                2005 Meeting Dates                ZONE DATE LOCATION REGIONAL CHAIR PHONE EA May 17 Sewickley, PA Heather Ferrand Butler Gas Products 412-771-7660 CE June 14 Indianapolis, IN Gary Halter BOC Gases 317-243-6606 CE June 15 Lansing, MI John DeHoust Baker's Gas & Welding Supplies 313-383-5690 EA June 22 Harrisville, RI Pete Keough Corp Brothers 401-331-8020 SE June 26-27 Hattiesburg, MS Sam Thompson Airgas South 678-776-0023 EA June 29-30 Atlantic City, NJ Lloyd Robinson AWISCO 718-786-7788 W July 20-22 Sunriver, OR Joe Smith Quimby Corp. 503-595-4352 SE August 14-15 Birmingham, AL Gregg Waltman Linde Gas LLC 205-873-1211 CE August 18 Fort Wayne, IN Ken Flora Welder Services Inc. 260-423-4468 W August 19 Lodi, CA Rob Kinney Airgas NCN 916-379-1050 W August 25 Mission Viejo, CA Paul Cramer Cramer-Decker Industries 800-752-4579 EA September 9 York, PA Gary Chandler Miller Electric 301-271-0363 For more detailed information and registration forms, please visit this page. If you are a Regional Chair and have a meeting date to add to the list, please call Headquarters at 215-564-3484 or send an e-mail with your dates and location.

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WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS

How to Sell Value, Not Price
Tuesday, May 10
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. ET
Tom Reilly, Sales Professional
This webinar encourages salespeople to embrace the value-added philosophy and approach the strategies and tactics of value-added selling with an open mind. The fee is $149 per site. Call 800-775-7654 and reference Seminar # AEA9194-0, or register online here. Be sure to mention you are a GAWDA member.

On-Site DOT Consulting Services
One of the many valuable services provided by GAWDA consultants is on-site consulting. GAWDA DOT & Homeland Security consultant Mike Dodd makes his annual swing through the Northeast starting in June and stays to visit all members who request him. Dodd travels by motorhome and parks on your property while doing the on-site visit. He charges a very reasonable daily fee for any days working on site, plus one day for travel time and expenses. He does not charge for motel and meals while traveling in the motorhome, which helps keep expenses to a minimum for members. Last year, Dodd visited 21 members in the Northeast to do DOT audits or cylinder filling/cylinder requalification training sessions.

If you are in the Northeast and would like to take advantage of this service, please contact Mike Dodd at 573-785-5111 or MLDSafety@hotmail.com by May 10 to get onto the calendar for this trip.

GAWDA Eastern Zone Regional Meeting
Tuesday, May 17
Sewickley Heights Golf Club, Sewickley, PA
GAWDA Regional Chair Heather Ferrand of Butler Gas Products hosts this Regional Meeting. GAWDA President Bob Thornton, Chris Bailey of Lincoln Electric and David Wolff of Proton are the featured speakers. For more information and a registration form, please visit this page or contact Heather Ferrand at 412-771-7660, extension 302. Don't miss out on this incredible networking opportunity!